Device for fastening a bracelet to a watch

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to a watch comprising a housing ( 1 ), at least one fastening member ( 7 ) such as a bracelet, and a device for joining the housing to the fastening member. Said housing ( 1 ) is provided with a first rim ( 8 ) on the lower circumference thereof, which is inserted into a groove ( 13 ) of a support ( 2 ) that is or is not connected to the fastening member ( 7 ) in order to fix the housing to a base ( 14 ) of the support ( 2 ). A flexible element ( 5 ) and a second rim ( 9 ) can be fixed to the upper circumference of the housing ( 1 ) such that the watch is reversible. The supports ( 2   a,    2   b ) of the housing are provided with an exterior part ( 12 ) for inserting rings ( 6   a   , 6   b ) of the bracelet ( 7 ) and a lower part ( 11 ) on which the housing ( 1 ) rests. The flexible element ( 5 ) is made of a plastic or metal thread, the ends of which are fixed in at least one guiding member ( 2   a,    2   b ) that is inserted into the fastening member ( 7 ). The inventive watch comprises at least one flexible element ( 5 ) forming an entire loop or two flexible elements ( 5 ) that are connected to at least one guiding member ( 2   a,    2   b ) so as to form an entire loop.

The present invention relates to watch-making, more particularly todevices for attaching a bracelet to a watch.

A watch bracelet is a piece of jewelry that generally encircles thewrist. There are several types, such as extendable bracelets, braceletswith a cover, or marquise bracelets, made up for example of two partsjoined by a clasp.

The two ends of the bracelet are attached via rings or other means topins, hinges or loops on the watch casing.

So that a watch can be put on a wearer's wrist, it is known practice touse strong bracelets that must be securely fastened to the watch casingwithout neglecting their decorative aspect.

There are in particular two ways of fastening the bracelet to the watchcasing, namely:

-   -   by welding, which implies that, in principle, the bracelet be        made of the same material as the casing;    -   using small bars, the bracelet thus being removable, unlike in        the above case.

It is known practice to attach a bracelet to a watch by means of anassembly, in which the watch is housed in a housing for fastening thewatch, as shown in publication WO 88/06307. This device has thedisadvantage of using expensive attachment elements.

The aim of the present invention is to propose a device for flexiblyattaching a bracelet to a watch, in particular without the use of smallbars.

This aim is achieved with a watch comprising a casing, at least oneattachment such as a bracelet and a device linking the casing-attachmentassembly, characterized in that the attachment is linked to the casingby means of at least one long flexible element designed to hold theattachment against the casing, the long flexible element delimiting inparticular a space in which the casing may be inserted and held in placeby contact of the flexible element on its circumference.

The attachment usually consists of a bracelet whose two ends arefastened to the opposite parts of the casing, or may consist of a body,for example a clip, that bears against the casing and is linked to thelatter by the flexible element forming a loop around the latter.

One embodiment, which applies to all kinds of watches, of a device forattaching a bracelet to a watch is made up of a flexible fasteningelement, two guides, two casing supports and a watch casing, in which:

-   -   The flexible element is a long object of small cross section, in        particular a thread made of deformable plastic which can be        joined up by welding, adhesive bonding, etc. or cut, depending        on the embodiment.    -   The guides are tubes made of an essentially non-deformable        material, protecting the bracelet and guiding the flexible        element.    -   The supports are the intermediate elements between the bracelet        and the watch casing, whose shape matches the shapes of the        latter, and are made of a material that does not damage the        surface of the casing.    -   In a variant, these supports are integral with the ends of the        bracelet.    -   In another variant, the flexible element is fastened either to        an attachment or at least to one casing support.

In one embodiment, the guides are inserted in the rings of the bracelet.To join the two ends of the bracelet, one end of the flexible element ispassed through one guide and then the other. The two ends of theflexible element are then joined together by means suitable for thematerial of which the flexible element is composed (welding, adhesivebonding, etc.). The join is inserted in one of the guides and clamped inthe corresponding ring of the bracelet, to guarantee a solid assembly.The ends of the bracelet are thus joined up by the two arms of theflexible element, which constitute not only the link between said endsbut also the space into which the watch casing is inserted. The rings ofthe bracelet, containing the guides through which the flexible elementpasses, are inserted in the supports simply by pressing.

The watch casing may be of conventional shape or otherwise, and there isno limit on the material that can be used to make it. It comprises a rimon opposite sides of its circumference for receiving a flexible element.This groove or rim may extend around the entire periphery of the casing.The casing advantageously comprises a first lower rim and a second upperrim, in particular arranged symmetrically about a median axis, makingthe casing reversible. The upper and lower rims make it possible tofasten the casing by snap-fitting in the supports.

By moving the flexible element away, it is placed against the lower orupper rim of the casing, holding the casing in place.

The device that is the subject of the present invention makes itpossible to move or change the watch without damaging the surface of thecasing, because the flexible element, which fastens the watch to thebracelet or other attachment, is made in particular of a relativelynonextendable synthetic material such as nylon, or of metal.

The invention will be more clearly understood from the detaileddescription below which refers to the attached drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 shows, by way of example, a perspective view of a device forattaching a bracelet to a watch.

FIG. 2 shows a schematic section of this device for attaching a braceletto a watch.

FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of a watch support.

FIG. 4 shows a side view of a reversible watch casing.

FIG. 5 shows a perspective view of a guide for a flexible element.

In one embodiment, a device for attaching a bracelet to a watchcomprises:

-   -   a flexible fastening element (5—FIGS. 1+2), for joining two ends        (40 a, 40 b—FIG. 1) of a bracelet or other attachment (7—FIGS.        1+2) by being inserted in the rings (6 a, 6 b—FIG. 2) of the        bracelet (7);    -   two guides (4 a, 4 b—FIGS. 1+2), located inside the rings (6 a,        6 b) of the bracelet (7), for directing the flexible element (5)        during assembly and preventing shearing of the rings (6 a, 6 b)        of the bracelet (7);    -   a watch casing (1—FIGS. 1+2);    -   two supports (2 a, 2 b—FIGS. 1+2) that constitute the link        between the casing (1) of the watch and the bracelet (7).

As a variant, the bracelet or other attachment (7) is integral with aninternal profiled part that receives and supports the casing (1).

The flexible element (5), of circular cross section, is in particular anylon thread and its length varies as a function of the pressure it isdesired to exert on the casing (1). The flexible element (5) has twoends (not shown) that are joined together at the time of assembly.

The guides (4 a, 4 b) that prevent shearing of the rings (6 a, 6 b) ofthe bracelet (7), as seen above, are machined such that the insidediameter (31—FIG. 5) is greater than the outside diameter of theflexible element (5) and that the outside diameter (33—FIG. 5) issmaller than or equal to the inside diameter of the rings (6 a, 6 b) ofthe bracelet (7). Note that the guides (4 a, 4 b) are only essential ifthere is a risk of shearing of the material of the bracelet (7).

The casing supports (2 a, 2 b—FIGS. 1+2), which prevent the casing (1)from moving laterally and vertically, have an outer part (12—FIG. 3) ofsemicircular cross section for insertion of the rings (6 a, 6 b) of thebracelet (7), and an inner part (11—FIG. 3) composed of a base (14—FIG.3) on which the casing (1) rests, a groove (13—FIG. 3) for fastening thecasing (1) against the base (14) and a bearing surface (15—FIG. 3)serving as a guide for the insertion of the casing (1) in the supports(2 a, 2 b).

The flexible element (5) holds the bracelet (7) against the outer parts(12) of the supports (2 a, 2 b) and prevents the casing (1) from movinglongitudinally.

The casing (1) of the watch has a rim (8—FIG. 4) around its lowercircumference that is inserted in the groove (13) of the support (2) tofasten it against the base (14) of the support (2), and houses theflexible element (5) to prevent any accidental movement, as seen above.

As shown, the casing (1) advantageously comprises a first lower rim (8)and a second upper rim (9) arranged symmetrically about a median axis(20), making the casing reversible.

In one variant, the casing comprises only one, in particular central,rim.

The guides (4 a, 4 b) are inserted in the rings (6 a, 6 b) to preventshearing of the bracelet (7) by the flexible element (5).

To join the two rings (6 a, 6 b) of the bracelet (7), one of the ends ofthe flexible element (5) is passed through one of the guides (4 a, 4 b),and then the other. The two ends of the flexible element (5) are thenjoined together by means suitable for the material of which the flexibleelement (5) is composed (welding, adhesive bonding, etc.). The join isinserted in one of the guides (4 a, 4 b) and clamped in one of the rings(6 a, 6 b) of the bracelet (7), to guarantee a solid assembly. The rings(6 a, 6 b) of the bracelet (7) are thus secured and the flexible element(5) thus delimits a space (41—FIG. 2) for insertion of the watch casing(1).

The rings (6 a, 6 b) of the bracelet (7), containing the guides (4 a, 4b) through which the flexible element (5) passes, are inserted in theouter part (12) of the supports (2 a, 2 b) simply by pressing.

The casing (1), which advantageously comprises a lower rim (8) and anupper rim (9), is fastened by snap-fitting in the supports (2 a, 2 b).By moving the flexible element (5) away, said element is placed againstthe lower rim (8) or the upper rim (9) of the casing (1), depending onwhich side of the watch is selected by the wearer, holding said casing(1) in place.

The device for attaching a bracelet to a watch described is suitable forall kinds of shapes of bracelets and watches. It comprises at least oneflexible element (5) forming a complete loop.

In short, the subject of the present invention is a watch comprising acasing (1), a bracelet (7) or other attachment and a device linking theassembly.

To join the two ends of the bracelet (7), one end of the flexibleelement (5) is passed through one of the guides (4 a, 4 b), and then theother. The two ends of the flexible element (5) are then joined togetherby means suitable for the material of which the flexible element (5) iscomposed (welding, adhesive bonding, etc.). The join is then inserted inone of the guides (4 a, 4 b) and clamped in the corresponding ring ofthe bracelet (7), to guarantee a solid assembly. The ends of thebracelet (7) are thus joined up by the two sides of the flexible element(5), which constitute not only the link between said ends but alsodetermine the space (41) for insertion of the watch casing (1).

The rings (6 a, 6 b) of the bracelet (7), containing the guides (4 a, 4b) through which the flexible element (5) passes, are inserted in theouter part (12) of the supports (2 a, 2 b) simply by pressing.

The casing (1) is fastened by snap-fitting in the supports (2 a, 2 b),and by moving the two sides of the flexible element (5) away and placingthem in the lower groove (8) of the casing (1), the latter ispositioned.

In a variant, use is made of an attachment consisting of a body thatbears against only one side of the watch casing, and a flexible element(5) that forms a loop designed to link said watch casing (1) to theattachment. This body may for example be a clip for fastening the watchto clothing or the like. It may advantageously comprise an internalprofiled part that serves as a support for the casing (1), or maycooperate with a support that is inserted between the casing (1) and theattachment (7), such as the supports (2 a, 2 b) described.

1. A watch comprising a casing (1), at least one attachment (7) such asa bracelet and a device linking the casing-attachment assembly,characterized in that the attachment (7) is linked to the casing (1) bymeans of at least one long flexible element (5) designed to hold theattachment (7). against the casing (1), the long flexible element (5)delimiting in particular a space in which the casing (1) may be insertedand held in place by contact of the flexible element (5) on itscircumference.
 2. The watch as claimed in claim 1, characterized in thatthe attachment is a bracelet (7) whose two ends (40 a, 40 b) are linkedto the casing (1) by means of the flexible element (5).
 3. The watch asclaimed in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that it comprises at least onecasing support (2 a, 2 b), which is inserted between the attachment andthe casing (1), and in that the flexible element (5) is fastened eitherto the attachment (7) or at least to one casing support (2 a, 2 b). 4.The watch as claimed in claim 2, characterized in that the casingsupports (2 a, 2 b) have an outer part (12) for insertion of the rings(6 a, 6 b) of the bracelet (7), and an inner part (11) on which thecasing (1) rests.
 5. The watch as claimed in claim 1, characterized inthat the attachment (7) is integral with an internal profiled part thatreceives and supports the casing (1).
 6. The watch as claimed in one ofthe preceding claims, characterized in that the casing (1) has a rim (8)around its circumference that is inserted in a groove (13) of a support(2) which is integral with the attachment (7) or otherwise.
 7. The watchas claimed in claim 6, characterized in that the casing (1) has a firstrim (8) around its lower circumference and a second rim (9) around itsupper circumference, making the watch reversible.
 8. The watch asclaimed in one of the preceding claims, characterized in that theflexible element (5) consists of a thread made of plastic.
 9. The watchas claimed in one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the flexibleelement (5) consists of a metal thread.
 10. The watch as claimed in oneof the preceding claims, characterized in that the ends of the flexibleelement (5) are fastened in at least one guide (4 a, 4 b) inserted inthe attachment (7) or in a casing support (2 a, 2 b) integral with theattachment (7).
 11. The watch as claimed in one of the preceding claims,characterized in that at least one flexible element (5) forms a completeloop.
 12. The watch as claimed in claims 10 and 11, characterized inthat it comprises two flexible elements (5) secured in at least oneguide (2 a, 2 b) to form a complete loop.
 13. The watch as claimed inclaim 11, characterized in that the attachment (7) consists of a bodythat bears against the casing (1) and is attached thereto by the loopformed by the flexible element (5).
 14. An assembly of two parts of abracelet (7) of a watch as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that theends of the bracelet (7) are linked by means of at least one longflexible element (5) that delimits a space in which a casing (1) may beinserted and held in place by contact of the flexible element(s) on itscircumference.
 15. A watch casing as claimed in one of claims 1 to 13,characterized in that the casing (1) comprises a rim (8) on oppositesides of its circumference for receiving said flexible element (5). 16.The watch casing as claimed in claim 15, characterized in that itcomprises a first lower rim (8) and a second upper rim (9), inparticular arranged symmetrically about a median axis (20), making thecasing reversible.
 17. The watch casing as claimed in claim 16,characterized in that each rim (8, 9) extends around the entirecircumference of the casing.
 18. A watch attachment as claimed in claim13, characterized in that it consists of a body that bears against thecasing (1), and a flexible element (5) that forms a loop designed tolink a watch casing (1) to the attachment (7).
 19. The watch attachmentas claimed in claim 18, characterized in that the flexible element (5)is secured to the attachment (7).